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Amazon Echo FAQ

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Comments

  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 28,525 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cabaal


    why get the Philips Hue starter kit from Amazon Germany when it's basically the same price in the UK with free shipping and will get here much faster? You're not really saving much when you had 8 euros shipping.

    There was 30e in the difference (even after shipping) when the item was on deal of the day, so it was worth getting it from amazon.de as it was at the lowest it ever was on the site during the deal.

    Its gone up in price since of course,


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,158 ✭✭✭reni10


    Can the Echo work with other lightbulbs like the Xiaomi smartbulbs etc.?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 26,658 ✭✭✭✭OldMrBrennan83


    This post has been deleted.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,006 ✭✭✭paulbok


    reni10 wrote: »
    Can the Echo work with other lightbulbs like the Xiaomi smartbulbs etc.?

    Can't link as I'm posting via phone, but the Amazon echo website has a works with page to check compatibility.
    If you use a system like Smartthings you may have further compatibility options and if IFTTT supports your other devices, bulbs etc, you can definitely link them.

    I'll be using IFTTT to work my Evohome heating controls as Alexa has no direct link to that particular controller and it still has no Smartthings integration.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 924 ✭✭✭Vico1612


    paulbok wrote: »
    Can't link as I'm posting via phone, but the

    I'll be using IFTTT to work my Evohome heating controls as Alexa has no direct link to that particular controller and it still has no Smartthings integration.

    Evohome has direct integration ( the Europe integration seems to be active since yesterday - I linked my Evohome account this morning )


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,635 ✭✭✭donegal.


    yeah delivery just arrived.


  • Registered Users Posts: 72 ✭✭loughrey2887


    Damn, I missed out on that, how much did it come to from Germany?


  • Registered Users Posts: 72 ✭✭loughrey2887


    How are people setting the traffic setting to an Irish address? When I do it I get a message to say to make sure i'm entering a UK address.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,006 ✭✭✭paulbok


    Vico1612 wrote: »
    Evohome has direct integration ( the Europe integration seems to be active since yesterday - I linked my Evohome account this morning )

    Is that for the connected thermostat?
    I know there is a honeywell smart heating & cooling controller that has direct access and it and the lyric thermostat are the only ones listed on the works with Alexa site


  • Registered Users Posts: 13 ajd1969


    Hi all, expect echos are arriving daily - mine expected tomorrow. I have been playing around in the meantime with Alexa App and Lexi, but having no luck getting the App to accept my Irish address - anybody able tp do so since the UK echo launch. I will be using it with Hue lights etc. Also have Honeywell heating system but don't have a Honeywell controller that will play nice with smart home devices.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,444 ✭✭✭BobbyT28


    ajd1969 wrote: »
    Hi all, expect echos are arriving daily - mine expected tomorrow. I have been playing around in the meantime with Alexa App and Lexi, but having no luck getting the App to accept my Irish address - anybody able tp do so since the UK echo launch. I will be using it with Hue lights etc. Also have Honeywell heating system but don't have a Honeywell controller that will play nice with smart home devices.

    Mine just got delivered to Local PM this evening after only being delivered to Depot at 14:00 today. Nice:D:D


  • Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 12,778 Mod ✭✭✭✭Zascar


    I'd love one of these but tempted t wait for the Google Home. However, can anyone guess as to how long it will be before it's available in Ireland?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,477 ✭✭✭Hootanany


    BobbyT28 wrote: »
    Mine just got delivered to Local PM this evening after only being delivered to Depot at 14:00 today. Nice:D:D

    Where can you get the app? Amazon says wrong country?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 882 ✭✭✭Arbie


    ajd1969 wrote: »
    Hi all, expect echos are arriving daily - mine expected tomorrow. I have been playing around in the meantime with Alexa App and Lexi, but having no luck getting the App to accept my Irish address - anybody able tp do so since the UK echo launch. I will be using it with Hue lights etc. Also have Honeywell heating system but don't have a Honeywell controller that will play nice with smart home devices.

    Accepted my Irish address from the day of the UK launch. Some people seem to have trouble with Traffic feature not recognising address but works fine for me.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,444 ✭✭✭BobbyT28


    Anyone having trouble linking Spotify account? Tried signing in through Alexa all and it just sits on chrome page
    http://layla.amazon.com/partner-authorization/establish

    It's like it can't authenticate!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,444 ✭✭✭BobbyT28


    Hootanany wrote: »
    Where can you get the app? Amazon says wrong country?

    I use apitode. To get the apk. Works perfect


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 28,525 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cabaal


    Picked up my echo this morning, happy enough so far
    Lights from Amazon.de have been delayed by 24-48hrs by the carrier which is annoying,

    Happy with the sound quality from the speaker, could see myself buying another one...though will likely buy the dot


  • Registered Users Posts: 13 ajd1969


    If using IOS you need to log in to UK (or US) iTunes store to download App. Some people using (older) version of US App have been having trouble setting up a UK echo and/or transferring a US bought Echo to U.K.
    I was able to link Spotify account but it took a few attempts, same thing linking other accounts. I have not been able to link my audible account yet.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,444 ✭✭✭BobbyT28


    BobbyT28 wrote: »
    Anyone having trouble linking Spotify account? Tried signing in through Alexa all and it just sits on chrome page
    http://layla.amazon.com/partner-authorization/establish

    It's like it can't authenticate!!

    Was finally able to link Spotify account by going to http://alexa.amazon.co.uk/ on my PC. Again it took about 7 attempts but finally worked.

    Go to http://alexa.amazon.co.uk/ - settings - Music & Books - link spotify account


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 28,525 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cabaal


    So, I got my echo, I'll have my hue lights but what else can I do and how?

    I have a standard oil heating system, it just has a timer switch, how can I change this system to echo?
    It doesn't have zones setup but if I could somehow control upstairs and downstairs it would be great (guessing I'd need a plumber for that part)


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,796 ✭✭✭sweetie


    Cabaal wrote: »
    So, I got my echo, I'll have my hue lights but what else can I do and how?

    I have a standard oil heating system, it just has a timer switch, how can I change this system to echo?
    It doesn't have zones setup but if I could somehow control upstairs and downstairs it would be great (guessing I'd need a plumber for that part)

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057652391


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,158 ✭✭✭reni10


    Anyone know if you can have the Echo Dot connected to a bluetooth speaker in one room via bluetooth and also have the internal Echo Dot speaker active at the same time?

    The reason I would do this is I could have 1 Echo Dot in the Living Room and have it also connected to a Bluetooth speaker in a Bedroom and use either an app on my phone or my FireTV voice remote to issue the commands to the Echo Dot and have the responses come back through both the Echo Dot speaker and the Bluetooth speaker at the same time so would not need to buy another Echo Dot for the bedroom!


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 28,525 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cabaal


    After having a play around with the echo I must say I regret not buying a second one at the lower price,
    I might pick up some dots instead though, handy just for bedroom alarm and light control and stuff


  • Posts: 0 ✭✭✭ Crosby Panicky Sushi


    I'm thoroughly fed up because mine has been stuck at North West RDC since early yesterday morning. Fcuking annoying.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,625 ✭✭✭Thor


    Just got mine last night (collected from Parcel Motel)

    Loving it so far, but sadly I have not connected devices in the home already, so going to need to start looking at the best ones to get. If anyone has any recommendations on the cheapest things to be looking at getting, please let me know.


  • Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Music Moderators Posts: 12,778 Mod ✭✭✭✭Zascar


    For the people who start using it - please tell us how you get on - what's really good, what doesn't work etc. Very interested to hear the scope of abilities. I think a lot more will come as they develop it further and open up the platform


  • Registered Users Posts: 18 wrongtarget


    Just picked it up from my PM locker this morning.
    I'm very impressed by how well she understand/recognizes everything I said. Disappointed that IFTTT is not working at the moment though, had a few projects in mind that depend on that.

    Also, I was able to change my address to a Dublin one but still when I ask her for the weather without specifying the location (since the default is set to Dublin now) she says she doesn't have forecast information for that place.

    But if I ask "how's the weather like in Dublin?" it works. Is this expected? Is Ireland not yet compatible with these kind of questions?


  • Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 23,186 Mod ✭✭✭✭bk


    Summary of my experience so far:

    - It has a fantastic ability to pick up your voice from across the room, really impressed.
    - Doesn't seem to have any issues understanding both Irish and Brazilian (English) accents.
    - Sound quality is excellent, no problem filling a large shared living room and kitchen. Haven't even tried to turn it up to 10 yet, would annoy the neighbours.
    - Spotify is excellent on it, it has no problems guessing what you meant, even if you don't know the exact name of the playlist, etc.
    - Great for setting timers for cooking.
    - Great for controlling lights (Philips Hue).

    Not good:
    - No IFTTT support on UK accounts! Really disappointed with this.
    - No support for Logitech Harmony setups yet (seemingly rumour has it is in Beta). Was hoping to use IFTTT to partly control it in the meantime, but see above point.
    - TuneIn radio doesn't work well at all. Can never find stations (unlike Spotify). However it works ok if you initially find and play the sation via the phone app, but not ideal.

    So far I'm pretty happy with it and hope it will develop more features quickly (Harmony, IFTTT). The best I can say about it is the the girlfriend is lovign it and using spotify and timers extensively already! Will be getting a Dot for the bedroom speakers and probably a Netatmo Thermostat (kick myself for missing out on the bundle deal they had on it last week!).

    Edit: oh also to add, I'm finding that you can speak quickly to it. I was assuming you would have to speak slowly and clearly, but no, it doesn't have any problems with normal speech.


  • Registered Users Posts: 16 grahammck


    I'm defaulting to the alexa.amazon.com/ site so cant get the skills for the UK - any idea how to change? My location is set to Dublin. Thanks


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  • Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 23,186 Mod ✭✭✭✭bk


    grahammck wrote: »
    I'm defaulting to the alexa.amazon.com/ site so cant get the skills for the UK - any idea how to change? My location is set to Dublin. Thanks

    To be honest, you might be better off with a US account! US accounts support IFTTT, UK don't and I don't think any of the UK skills are actually applicable in Ireland.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,444 ✭✭✭BobbyT28


    Here's my experience since collecting it last night from PM.

    Setup of app and Echo was a breeze. Linking spotify was another story see previous posts.

    Thoughts so far:

    Pro's:
    - Spotify works great Alexa Play Happy by Pharrell Williams" (My little girl loves that song:p)
    - Timers and alrms work great.
    - Hears my voice from about 10ft away in my kitchen come living room.
    - Understands me 95% of the time (The wife not so much)
    - Audible linked up automatically and was able to play audiobook.
    - Speaker is unreal. This would easily fill a room twice the size of my Kitchen/Living room. Amazing sound for such a small device.
    - Bluetooth synced up with out issues
    - Alexa App is a bit meh
    - Traffic reports when it works (See below)

    Con's:
    Traffic: Alexa "How is my commute looking?" I'm sorry traffic is not available right now (Was working last night)

    Unable to change the order of the news reports as in but BBC news ahead of Sky news. You need to say Alexa "next" and it goes to the next news outlet.

    Having issues changing address. Unable to get local wether report. withput saying Alexa "Whats the weather like in Celbridge"

    Lack of IFTT and Harmony support (ATM) Just found out off this forum that IFTTT is not yet available for this, which is a total bummer as I was hoping to the get a logitech harmony and use Echo and IFTTT to control TV and channel change if possible.

    Apart from that I am very pleased. I think the more development goes into this and the more services that become available it will get even better. Really hoping IFTTT comes to the UK Echo soon.

    Ordered HUe lights and dimmer switch so hoping to get that setup next week.

    Wife is still a bit perplexed as to why we need but she'll come around when I say

    Alexa " Play some barry White... ALexa change light colour to Moody!:p
    :p:p:pac::pac::pac:

    BobbYT28








  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,036 ✭✭✭slegs


    Sorry if this answered already as collecting tonight from PM. I have an amazon uk prime account. Can I play prime music from Ireland?


  • Registered Users Posts: 13 ajd1969


    BobbyT28 did the Alexa App accept your Irish address when you set it up? I will be installing mine tonight and (hopefully) linking to my existing Hue lights.


    BobbyT28 wrote: »
    Here's my experience since collecting it last night from PM.

    Setup of app and Echo was a breeze. Linking spotify was another story see previous posts.

    Thoughts so far:

    Pro's:
    - Spotify works great Alexa Play Happy by Pharrell Williams" (My little girl loves that song:p)
    - Timers and alrms work great.
    - Hears my voice from about 10ft away in my kitchen come living room.
    - Understands me 95% of the time (The wife not so much)
    - Audible linked up automatically and was able to play audiobook.
    - Speaker is unreal. This would easily fill a room twice the size of my Kitchen/Living room. Amazing sound for such a small device.
    - Bluetooth synced up with out issues
    - Alexa App is a bit meh
    - Traffic reports when it works (See below)

    Con's:
    Traffic: Alexa "How is my commute looking?" I'm sorry traffic is not available right now (Was working last night)

    Unable to change the order of the news reports as in but BBC news ahead of Sky news. You need to say Alexa "next" and it goes to the next news outlet.

    Having issues changing address. Unable to get local wether report. withput saying Alexa "Whats the weather like in Celbridge"

    Lack of IFTT and Harmony support (ATM) Just found out off this forum that IFTTT is not yet available for this, which is a total bummer as I was hoping to the get a logitech harmony and use Echo and IFTTT to control TV and channel change if possible.

    Apart from that I am very pleased. I think the more development goes into this and the more services that become available it will get even better. Really hoping IFTTT comes to the UK Echo soon.

    Ordered HUe lights and dimmer switch so hoping to get that setup next week.

    Wife is still a bit perplexed as to why we need but she'll come around when I say

    Alexa " Play some barry White... ALexa change light colour to Moody!:p
    :p:p:pac::pac::pac:

    BobbYT28








  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,444 ✭✭✭BobbyT28


    ajd1969 wrote: »
    BobbyT28 did the Alexa App accept your Irish address when you set it up? I will be installing mine tonight and (hopefully) linking to my existing Hue lights.

    It did. I just had to use N/A for poscode. That was it.

    You shouldn't have a problem


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,158 ✭✭✭reni10


    Does anyone have the non applekit enabled Netatmo Thermostat and can they confirm that the Echo works fully with it?


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  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 28,525 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cabaal


    Must say the Guardian option is pretty nifty,
    Also I happen to have some Audible titles as Kindle books as well, if you happen to be reading the Kindle book the Audible book resumes from the last page you were on with the Kindle. pretty cool

    Not finding Prime Music great, but then I have zero playlists setup which I think is a big factor


  • Registered Users Posts: 347 ✭✭Brayruit


    Hi all - hope somebody can help!

    I am getting stuck trying to install the Echo.

    I get to the page that says connect your computer to Echo. I connect to Amazon-7UM and Echo says "Go to your Alexa App to complete installation" or something along those lines. The problem is when I go back to the page in the app it has not changed.... there is no "Continue" button nor any way to progress from that point.

    I was able to download the Alexa App from the UK store to my iphone but I have exactly the same problem.

    Anyone any ideas?

    Anyone with the same problem?


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 28,525 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cabaal


    Brayruit wrote: »
    Hi all - hope somebody can help!

    I am getting stuck trying to install the Echo.

    I get to the page that says connect your computer to Echo. I connect to Amazon-7UM and Echo says "Go to your Alexa App to complete installation" or something along those lines. The problem is when I go back to the page in the app it has not changed.... there is no "Continue" button nor any way to progress from that point.

    I was able to download the Alexa App from the UK store to my iphone but I have exactly the same problem.

    Anyone any ideas?

    Anyone with the same problem?

    Don't use the app
    Use http://alexa.amazon.co.uk instead in a browser
    The app is not required to either install or use the Echo, I did it entirely via http://alexa.amazon.co.uk


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,568 ✭✭✭✭yabadabado


    Going to collect the Echo from PM later on .
    Is it plug in play outta the box or is there anything much I can do in the mean time ?


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 28,525 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cabaal


    yabadabado wrote: »
    Going to collect the Echo from PM later on .
    Is it plug in play outta the box or is there anything much I can do in the mean time ?

    You can login to http://alexa.amazon.co.uk and setup some stuff and check some settings, as when Amazon dispatched it they will have registered it to your Amazon account.

    Once you take out the echo and setup wifi then you can setup additional options


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  • Registered Users Posts: 347 ✭✭Brayruit


    alexa.amazon.co.uk is where I started and where I have the problem in the first place

    Sorry perhaps I didn't explain that very well. The computer screen is still showing the "Connect your computer to Echo" page with a picture showing connection to the Amazon-XXX wifi under wifi settings. No "Continue" button appears so I am completely stuck.

    Any other ideas???


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 28,525 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cabaal


    Brayruit wrote: »
    alexa.amazon.co.uk is where I started and where I have the problem in the first place

    Sorry perhaps I didn't explain that very well. The computer screen is still showing the "Connect your computer to Echo" page with a picture showing connection to the Amazon-XXX wifi under wifi settings. No "Continue" button appears so I am completely stuck.

    Any other ideas???

    and you've then changed your wifi options on your computer to connect to that network (the new wireless network echo/amazon)?

    Once you've done this you can continue


  • Registered Users Posts: 347 ✭✭Brayruit


    Cabaal wrote: »
    and you've then changed your wifi options on your computer to connect to that network (the new wireless network echo/amazon)?

    Once you've done this you can continue

    Yes I have changed the wifi on my computer to Amazon-7UM and Alexa says her bit about continuing in the app...

    But then I have no way to continue - there is no continue button - nothing changes on the computer screen!


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 28,525 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cabaal


    Brayruit wrote: »
    Yes I have changed the wifi on my computer to Amazon-7UM and Alexa says her bit about continuing in the app...

    But then I have no way to continue - there is no continue button - nothing changes on the computer screen!

    Thats very odd, I never got such a prompt when I setup the echo this morning,
    I could do it all via the webpage with zero mention of the app


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,444 ✭✭✭BobbyT28


    Cabaal wrote: »
    Thats very odd, I never got such a prompt when I setup the echo this morning,
    I could do it all via the webpage with zero mention of the app

    I setup mine via the app last night. select new device and setup.


  • Registered Users Posts: 347 ✭✭Brayruit


    Cabaal wrote: »
    Thats very odd, I never got such a prompt when I setup the echo this morning,
    I could do it all via the webpage with zero mention of the app

    I only mention the word "app" because Alexa says app. I am trying to do it all from the web page. It is the web page that is giving me the problem as it does not change (i.e. no continue button appears).

    I turn on the Echo (after resetting for the 50th time!) and it says "Hello.... follow the instructions in your alexa app". I go to the web page (alexa.amazon.co.uk) and follow the instructions very carefully. I get to the part where she says "You've connected to Echo. Go ahead and finish the set up in your alexa app". But then I am snookered because there is no way to continue on the page.

    What happened for you.... did a "Continue" button appear on the page??


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,568 ✭✭✭✭yabadabado


    I picked up the Echo and have it connected .
    I'm having one problem. I have Spotify Premium for Family and have linked it but it won't work.
    I'm just thinking is it only the standard premium that works ?
    I never even thought that Family Premium might not work.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,444 ✭✭✭BobbyT28


    yabadabado wrote: »
    I picked up the Echo and have it connected .
    I'm having one problem. I have Spotify Premium for Family and have linked it but it won't work.
    I'm just thinking is it only the standard premium that works ?
    I never even thought that Family Premium might not work.

    When you say it doesn't work, does it not play songs from Spotify?

    Have you made Spotify your default Music player in settings-Music?

    I have only the premium so can't test.

    BobbyT28


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,568 ✭✭✭✭yabadabado


    BobbyT28 wrote: »
    When you say it doesn't work, does it not play songs from Spotify?

    Have you made Spotify your default Music player in settings-Music?

    I have only the premium so can't test.

    BobbyT28
    It tells me to link my account in settings but I have that done and it shows on Spotify that I have given access to Alexa.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,444 ✭✭✭BobbyT28


    yabadabado wrote: »
    It tells me to link my account in settings but I have that done and it shows on Spotify that I have given access to Alexa.


    Ok so have you made it your default Music player and then try,
    "Alexa - Play Happy by Pharrell Williams in Spotify and see what happens


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